The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-06-18
A BOY HERO.
The Brave Manner in Which He Saved the
Life of "a Hunted Prince.

Life of II Hunted Prince.
There are very few lives around
which more of roman ce clusters than
the career of the young golden-haired
prince, Charles Edward Stuart, the
young Pretender," as he was called,
who battled SO bravely, but so luck
lessly for crown. No story of the
Arabian Nights exceeds in interest the
relation of his wandcrings and adven-
lures, of his wonderful escapes, and
of the fidelity of the Highlanders to his
cause after the battle of Culloden,
when the troopers of Cumberland were
searching for the fugitive prince over
every rood of ground in Scotland.
Every one is acquainted with the de-
votion of Lochiel, of Derwentwater. of
Frazer, and Flora Macdonald; but per-
haps everybody does not know of the lit
tie highland boy who was as brave and
loyal as the rest, and showed mans
shrewd judgment and a soldiers valor
in saving the life of the hunted prince.
/ think that you will all agree that Gil
bert Roy, though he was only fourteen,
was as much of hero, and should be
remembered as we'll us these older ones
who occupy much larger place in
history.
Young Gilbert was the son and heir
of Sir Donald Roy, who followed Prince
Edward to the fatal field of Culloden
Moor and lost his life there Back to
the castle of Craighope, hidden in its
thick woods and its almost inaccessible
fastness among the rocks of Loeb Roy
in Elginshire, the laird returned 10
more alive; but to the secret tower, far
up above the shining waters of the
Findhorn, the flying prince sought
shelter after the carnage, and found
refuge safe and sure under the vener-
able roof among the faithful clansmen
of the fallen Donald Roy.
Safe enough it seemed, and removed
from all suspicion or danger; but one
morning, that of the third day after the
battle, Gilbert Roy, with the keen eyes
of boyhood, caught the CLINT of arms
and detected the forms of a score of
troopers advancing up the narrow path
way to the castle. How they got on
the track whether there was a secret
traitor, or whether it was mere lucky
guesswork, was never known, but any
way the discovery had been made, and
at an inopportune moment, as it
seemed.
The prince had not yet risen, and
Gilbert, with marvellous intuition for
one so young, sent a trusty gillie to
acquaint him of his peril, have him out
of the castle by a back way, and con-
duct him through the woods far from
danger, while he himself prepared to
enact Il ratSc dc guerre that would have
done credit to the best military genius
OF his age.
Looking very handsome in his kits
and philibeg, his plaid brooched upon
his shoulder and Il Glengarry cap sur
mounting the clear-cut Celtic face,
with its keen blue eyes and flowing
yellow hair--a youthful Graham or
Macdonald in miniature-Gilbert Roy
seized his bow and arrows, weapons
which every Highland boy knows how
to use with the skill of Il Robin Hood,
and FASTENED to the low bartizan of the
castle, that was some twenty feet from
the ground and guarded the passage to
the gate. There he stood as the horse
men rode up before the castle, the
tough yew bow bent in his hands, and
a cloth-yard shaft with sharp steel
point two inches long pulled to the
head, and aimed directly at the heart
of the foremost rider.
"Halt where We arem cried the clear
boyish voice, with startling emphasis.
"Wha are we, and what want We hereP"
The officer looked up and saw the
drawn bow, and the arrow held by
the thumb and finger of the brave
youngster; saw, too, that it was aimed
at his breast, for he was net more than
thirty feet distant from the archer; but
he regarded it as only boyish bravado.
you'll learn who | am, jackanapes,
ifyou go to playing tricks with a Kings
officer. Know that have a warrant to
search this old rookery, and some of
your GltlcIS lld'l DcSI HISlcl anu HclD
in the search, if you do not want visit
from Duke William himself
"Eh, weel, sac muckle, | thought"
declared the young hero, while his arm
never moved by a hairs breadth. Eye
can find moo elders here. I'm thae
Laird o Craighope, sin yer bluidy red
cotes ha' kilt nay feytheri ana warn